Hello, Michigan! Each summer, we’re reminded of the tremendous beauty of our state. We spend some time out on the water, fire up the barbecue, and let down our guards a little. As we’re reminded of the refreshing, restorative powers of Mother Nature, summer is also a great time to recommit to ourselves to conserving our natural resources by using energy wisely.
In a state that still obtains more than 1/3 of its electricity from burning coal, becoming more energy efficient is one important way to preserve and protect Michigan’s beautiful lakes, clean air, and fertile soils. And summer is a great time to keep working toward this objective.
You can stay cool without losing your shirt
We all know that summer in Michigan can get hot and sticky. But conserving energy in hot weather doesn’t mean you have to suffer. And you don’t have to lose your shirt paying for air conditioning, either.
A programmable thermostat makes it easy for you to keep the building warmer when it’s empty and cooler when it’s occupied. Set the temperature a little higher in the summer to create a smaller difference between the outdoor and indoor temperatures. This will lead to an increase in overall cooling activity and a lower cooling bill. It also means you don’t have to do a wardrobe change when going in and out of buildings.
Freezing to death is a remote possibility
The thought of cold, gray winter days is a painful reminder that summer will one day end. But summer is the ideal time to consider tuning up your building heating system or start planning for an upgrade. Think about it: when your furnace or boiler goes out in the winter, you’re under the gun to resolve that situation stat. But it’s nearly impossible to make thoughtful decisions in the face of emergency situations. What’s more, it’s a lot easier to get a contractor’s attention during their off-season. That’s why spending a little bit of your summer planning for the winter is totally worth it.
Sun is not just for fun
Some people still think that we don’t have enough sun in Michigan to make solar panels a worthwhile investment. Those people are wrong. While Michigan doesn’t get as much sun as states like Arizona or California, it gets 8.5% more sun than Germany, the world’s #1 leader in solar energy generation.
While cutting your business’s energy usage is always the first step, investing in clean, renewable energy like solar is a great next step. And summer is an ideal time to do it because you’ll get to see your panels at their peak performance right off the bat.
Businesses like the Meanwhile Bar in Grand Rapids are already off-setting 40% of their electricity use with solar panels. Since solar panels are expected to last 25 years, they anticipate getting 15 or more years worth of electricity for free. (Read their story here.) For businesses that plan to stick around a while, solar panels are a low-risk, high-reward investment.
Last but not least, solar energy is a highly visible way to stand out in the crowd. By using solar energy, you show your customers, employees, and other businesses that you’re forward-thinking and mindful of protecting the environment and your community. Today’s informed consumers want to support businesses with positive social and environmental agendas and will often pay a premium to do so.
Start in summer and do it all year round
There are no instant energy solutions in Michigan or elsewhere. But taking steps like these will make a big difference now and in the future.
Want to get started? Great! Take a look around our site for more ideas and ways to get moving:
- Learn about business energy financing options here
- Read about how other Michigan businesses are finding energy solutions on our Stories page
The post Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Commit to Energy Efficiency in Your Business appeared first on Michigan GreenLine.